Our Snow Day

We live in the south where snow is a novelty.   It's not every year that we see the white stuff.

Things get a little crazy when it snows.  A lot crazy, actually.

We got a {total} surprise snow the other day.  Surprise, as in the weather forecasters knew NOTHING about it.  Not even the slightest hint of a prediction.  They totally missed this one.  There's all this talk now of past models and future models and well, I don't know, except to say - WE WERE THRILLED!

It wasn't much, but it was fun for the kids!  Neighbors came out to play.  There were snowball fights and sledding and wet messy clothes, and cookies!

And Snow Cream...

And reading...

A day to play outside, and bake cookies, and read books.  Isn't God just so good?

10 Ways to Make Your Home Winter Cozy

Pray.

Make all the beds.

Light a candle.

Hug each other.

Keep the kitchen clear of dirty dishes.

Decorate with something sweet the kids made.

Call a loved one and catch up.  Texting doesn't count!

Put something delicious in the crock-pot for dinner.

Get rid of clutter.

Celebrate the season.  

Crafting Winter

Today we decided to make it snow, in our house anyway.  We miss having snow days to play outside and build snowmen.  We once lived in the mountains of Virginia and we enjoyed our share of snow.  Every winter we would engage in snowball fights and sledding and other such winter fun.  Now we live in Tennessee.  We live in a city that hangs right on the Georgia line.  Going into Georgia is about as easy as crossing the street.  I tell you this to explain the "southern-ness" of our current habitation.  It's usually warm here.  In our two years of living here we've seen snow only once.  So today, being January 14th, we decided to add a little snow-day to our school-day.

Since we can't make snowmen outside, we made them inside. This craft idea came from Pinterest - my  favorite place to hang out.  I believe the original idea came from The Happy Home Fairy.

Now that we've finished our craft we are going to enjoy some sugar cookies that Colin baked and some hot chocolate.  I think I might have to turn on the AC to make it feel cold though.  On second thought, the hubs would probably frown upon that.

Happy Winter!

Celebrate Winter!

  I read this today and liked it, "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."  -Charles Dickens  We don't have to quit doing special things just because Christmas is over.  There are lots of great ideas for bringing coziness and warmth to your family all winter long!

There really is a lot more to winter than just Christmas.  I personally love the winter comfort foods and the delicious aroma of cinnamon, ginger and cloves filling the kitchen.  I love reading to the kids, and sipping cocoa, and baking cookies.  Our family loves playing games and staying up late watching a good movie with our quilts and pillows.  Winter brings hearty foods for cold days and cheerful dishes that celebrate hearth and home.

I've been putting together a list of ideas to help ease the post-Christmas let-down.  I hope you will enjoy the delights of winter with your family! 
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*For a colorful snow fort fill a spray bottle with water and a couple of drops of food coloring and decorate the walls of your fort with red, green or blue!

*Make your favorite hot chocolate extra special.  Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Then top with whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder.  Add a cinnamon stick and sprinkle some chocolate curls on top.  YUMMY!

*Write a long letter to a friend you haven't seen in awhile or write a love letter to your husband and surprise him.

*Wake your family to the smell of coffee and sizzling bacon, build a snowman together, take a nap, make a pot of homemade soup.

*Curl up under a quilt and enjoy reading a good book to your children.

*Build a fire in the fireplace to enjoy all day!

*Take a tray of cookies, or homemade bread to an elderly neighbor, or a friend that needs cheering.  Stay to visit awhile.

*Fill a bowl with whole nutmegs and a nutmeg grater.  Guests will love fresh nutmeg in their coffee.  Offer different types of chocolate as coffee toppings...bittersweet, semi-sweet, milk and white chocolate.  Set out a bowl of whipped cream and a shaker of sugar for them to try also. 

*Top your coffee with spicy whipped cream.  Whip 1/2 cup whipping cream with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, add a dash of nutmeg.

*Make sure you are prepared for a winter's snowstorm...stock your pantry with cocoa and mini marshmallows.

*Go ice skating!

*Invite someone who lives alone to dinner. 

*Pop a big bowl of popcorn, snuggle under a quilt and enjoy a movie with your family.

*Gather your family together for some quiet time.  Play board games or have a picnic in front of the fireplace.

*Make snowflakes with paper and glitter.  

*Have a clothing and old toy round up with your family.  Donate gently used and outgrown items.